Thursday, February 27, 2014

Parshat Para

Parshat Para
Day: Thursday
Date: February 27, 2014
Parshat: Pekudei, Shekalim
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 685


On the Shabbat after Purim we read Parshat Para. According to Maran (the Shulchan Aruch), as well as many other poskim, there is a commandment from the Torah to read Parshat Para. During the reading the congregation should have in mind to fulfill their obligation and the reader should have in mind to fulfill their obligation as well. Just like during Parshat Zachor. The reason why we read it is because regarding the sin of the golden calf the Torah says: "Remember, do not forget that you provoked Hashem your God." (Devarim 9:7). Since this sin is such a dark spot in our history we instead read about the red heifer, the purpose of which was to some for the sin of the golden calf.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Are Women Required To Hear Parshat Zachor

Are Women Required To Hear Parshat Zachor
Day: Wednesday
Date: February 26, 2014
Parshat: Pekudei, Shekalim
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 685


There are some Poskim who maintain that women are required to hear Parshat Zachor and some who maintain that women are not required to hear it. If she needs a woman can rely on the Poskim who maintain that women are not required to hear Parshat Zachor. However, a women who goes to the synagogue to hear it will be blessed. One who is not able to go to shul for Parshat Zachor should have in mind to fulfill his obligation to remember amalek when Parshat Ki Tetzeh is read. He should also tell the hazan in that case to have in mind that he is fulfilling his Torah obligation to remember amalek.  


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

A Sephardic Person Should Go To A Sephardic Reading Of Parshat Zachor

A Sephardic Should Go To A Sephardic Reading Of Parshat Zachor
Day: Tuesday
Date: February 25, 2014
Parshat: Pekudei, Shekalim
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 685


One should follow along in a Chumash but not read along while Parshat Zachor is being read, since one needs to hear it being read from the Torah. Even if one does not fully understand the words being read he has still fulfilled the mitzvah to remember amalek since he understands the general idea. It is proper for a Sephardic person to hear Parshat Zachor being read by a Sephardic reader in the Sephardic tradition. Likewise, Ashkenazim should also hear it read by an Ashkanzi treader. Sephardic students in Ashkenazi yeshivot should listen it being read in the Sephardic tradition from a Sephardic Torah scroll. On any other Shabbat it is fine for a Sephardic person to hear the Ashkenazi reading and vice versa.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Monday, February 24, 2014

Parshat Zachor

Parshat Zachor
Day: Monday
Date: February 24, 2014
Parshat: Pekudei, Shekalim
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 685


On the Shabbat following the Rosh Chodesh Adar that immediately precedes Nissan we only read one parsha from one Sefer Torah. However, if Rosh Chodesh falls out on Shabbat then we read Shekalim on the Shabbat of Rosh Chodesh and we read Parshat Zachor the following Shabbat.  Parshat Zachor is always read on the Shabbat before Purim. We are very particular to use the best Sefer Torah in the synagogue for Parshat Zachor since it is a mitvat aseh from the Torah as opposed to regular Torah reading which is not. We don't make a special blessing on the reading of Parshat Zachor since Hashem does not rejoice at the downfall of the wicked and also because we don't make a blessing on a curse. Children should be instructed not to make noise during the reading so that everyone will hear every word.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Parshat Shekalim

Parshat Shekalim
Day: Sunday
Date: February 23, 2014
Parshat: Pekudei, Shekalim
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 685


On the Shabbat before the Rosh Chodesh Adar that precedes Nissan, or the Shabbat of Rosh Chodesh Adar itself when it falls on Shabbat, we take an extra Sefer Torah out from the aron and we read Parshat Shekalim from it. The reason is because during the era of the Bet Hamikdash on the first day of Adar they would announce that it was time to donate the annual the mahatsit hashekel to the Bet Hamikdash. The money that was raised was used to pay for the communal korbanot during the following year starting from Nissan. We also read a special hafatarah that alludes to the mahatsit hashekel. When Rosh Chodesh falls on Shabbat we also add the first and last verses from the Rosh Chodesh haftarah.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Friday, February 21, 2014

Causing A Bruise On Shabbat

Causing A Bruise On Shabbat
Day: Friday
Date: February 21, 2014
Parshat: Vayakhel
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 316


One who causes another person to bruise on Shabbat has transgressed an issur DeRabanan. This is regardless of whether it was done out of anger or even if it was done as a joke. By the same token pinching someone is also forbidden since that causes the blood to drain from that spot. A parent that spanks a child on Shabbat and causes a bruise will need to do teshuva. One may remove a splinter on Shabbat. When removing the splinter one should be careful not to cause himself to bleed. However if he was careful and he bled anyways he hasn't done anything wrong.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Setting Up Animal Traps On Shabbat

Setting Up Animal Traps On Shabbat
Day: Thursday
Date: February 20, 2014
Parshat: Vayakhel
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 316


It is forbidden to set up a mouse trap on Shabbat even though no mice will be trapped for some time. It is permitted however, to set up the trap before Shabbat even if it may catch animals on Shabbat. There are some Poskim that allow one to open the trap (that was set up before Shabbat) so that a cat can eat the mouse if one's intention is purely to feed the cat. One may feed live worms to a bird on Shabbat if it doesn't eat anything else and it will suffer by not eating them.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Spraying Insect Repellent/Poison On Shabbat

Spraying Insect Repellent/Poison On Shabbat
Day: Wednesday
Date: February 19, 2014
Parshat: Vayakhel
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 316


Ideally one should refrain from putting out poison on Shabbat for flies and other insects to ingest. However, one may spray raid or some other poisonous repellent to protect against them. One may not spray directly at the insects, instead he should spray where they are heading. When spraying one must leave a window open so that the flies can leave if they want to. Our Hachamim have taught us that lice do not multiply by means of normal reproduction, rather they are created as a result of perspiration and uncleanliness. The prohibition against killing animals on Shabbat only applies to animals that reproduce. Therefore, technically one may kill lice on Shabbat. One may look for and remove lice from a child's hair on Shabbat even if the lice will die. Even if the child's hair is long and some of it might come out it is still okay.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

May One Kill An Animal On Shabbat To Protect Himself?

May One Kill An Animal On Shabbat To Protect Himself?
Day: Tuesday
Date: February 18, 2014
Parshat: Vayakhel
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 316


One may trap a snake on Shabbat by putting something over it if he is doing so to protect himself from being bitten. This is true even if it is not a poisonous snake and even if it's not chasing him. Any poisonous snake or other such poisonous animal may killed on Shabbat even it is not threatening anyone. An animal who's bite causes injury but doesn't kill may be killed if it is chasing someone. If it isn't chasing anyone it may be killed as long as the one killing it appears nonchalant and doesn't make what he's doing obvious. One may not kill flies or mosquitoes on Shabbat even if they are bugging him and are being a nuisance.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Monday, February 17, 2014

Closing The Trash Can When There Are Flies Inside

Closing The Trash Can When There Are Flies Inside
Day: Monday
Date: February 17, 2014
Parshat: Vayakhel
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 316


If an animal or a bird comes into one's house one may not lock the animal in the house or in the room it is located in on Shabbat. This holds true even if one is only locking the door to prevent the animal from causing any damage to the house and not to trap it to keep it. Obviously if there is any danger involved one must do what is necessary to keep everyone safe. One may close a small container even if there is a fly or mosquito inside. This is not considered trapping since no one hunts flies and mosquitos and also since the intention is not to keep them. Therefore even if there are flies inside of the trash can one may still close the lid on Shabbat. However if there are bees in the trash can one may not close the lid since people do keep bees.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Sunday, February 16, 2014

The Melacha Of Trapping (Tzeidah)

The Melacha Of Trapping (Tzeidah)
Day: Sunday
Date: February 16, 2014
Parshat: Vayakhel
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 316


Any animal that is normally hunted or trapped may not be hunted or trapped on shabbat. Anyone who does so has transgressed an issur de'oraita. Any animal that is not normally trapped still may not be trapped on Shabbat because of a rabbinic prohibition. Therefore even though nobody hunts flys, one may not trap a fly on Shabbat. The prohibition against trapping does not apply to people. Therefore it is okay (from a halachic standpoint with regards to trapping) to lock people inside of a house on Shabbat.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Friday, February 14, 2014

Covering A Stroller On Shabbat

Covering A Stroller On Shabbat
Day: Friday
Date: February 14, 2014
Parshat: Ki Tisa
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 315


One may not cover a stroller or a cradle on Shabbat in order to protect the baby from the sun or rain. However, if the cover already covered one tefach of the stroller before Shabbat started then the rest may be covered as well. When removing the cover in that case, the stroller may not be completely uncovered. A tefach must remain covered. The same thing applies to the covers that are built in as part of many strollers, the cover may only be used if it covered a tefach before Shabbat started. Folding beds, chairs, tables and children's play pens may all be opened and closed on Shabbat. It is also permissible to lengthen one's table by adding a leaf.  


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Hanging A Curtain On Shabbat

Hanging A Curtain On Shabbat
Day: Thursday
Date: February 13, 2014
Parshat: Ki Tisa
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 315


Some walls are permitted to create on Shabbat and some aren't. In this context a wall doesn't mean constructing a wall from scratch, it means hanging a curtain to act as a wall. A wall that causes the place it's hung to become "permitted" may not be added on Shabbat. Therefore one may not add (the first, second, or third) walls to a succah to make it a proper succah or to an item to cause it be allowed to be moved on Shabbat. One may hang a curtain to protect from the sun or the cold or to protect candles from being extinguished by the wind provided he does not make a hole in the curtain with the nail. As we have said previously, (see Halacha from February 10, 2014) of course one may not put the nail in the wall on Shabbat. One may also hang a curtain for tzniut purposes, like over the door of the succah or between men and women in the shul. It is likewise permitted to hang a tapestry on the wall on nails that were already secured on the wall from before Shabbat. The popular custom of holding a talit over all the children on Simhat Torah is permitted since the talit is held by hand and also since it is not done to give shade but out of respect.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

The Prohibition Against Ohel On Shabbat

The Prohibition Against Ohel On Shabbat
Day: Wednesday
Date: February 12, 2014
Parshat: Ki Tisa
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 315


Included in the melacha of Boneh is the prohibition against creating a roof on Shabbat. This prohibition is called "Ohel." The Hachamim extended this prohibition to even include temporary roofs in addition to permanent ones. An umbrella is an example of an Ohel that cannot be created on Shabbat.  This prohibition only applies to making a roof. In general, walls, like a mechitzah for example, are okay to put in place. Children may not make a "fort" by spreading blankets over items and using the space underneath. Likewise, one also may not put a mat or something similar over poles in order to protect oneself or others from the elements.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Separating Yogurt Containers On Shabbat

Separating Yogurt Containers On Shabbat
Day: Tuesday
Date: February 10, 2014
Parshat: Ki Tisa
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 314


One may attach a hood to a sweater or a jacket on Shabbat and secure it either with a zipper or with snaps. Yogurt and other such containers that are connected together with a perforated top may be separated on Shabbat. However it is best to separate them before Shabbat and one who does so will be blessed. One may hang up or remove a framed picture from a nail on Shabbat and there is no concern of this being boneh or muktzeh. However one may not fasten the picture to the wall by using tacks or pins or put the nail in on Shabbat


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Monday, February 10, 2014

Using A Plunger On Shabbat

Using A Plunger On Shabbat
Day: Monday
Date: February 10, 2014
Parshat: Ki Tisa
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 314


One may not unclog a drain that is completely blocked on Shabbat by using a plunger. Even if there is a great need it may not be done since doing so may fall under the Torah's prohibition against fixing things on Shabbat. However if there is a great need one can ask a goy, or better yet he can ask a goy to ask another goy to plunge the drain. If the drain is not completely stopped but is only stuffed to the point that it greatly slows down anything inside from draining then one may use the plunger to open the blockage. Even in that situation one may not use any industrial products, only a regular household plunger. If the drain is stopped because of grease that built up and congealed one may pour boiling hot water down in order to melt it and cause the drain to open up.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Opening Cans On Shabbat

Opening Cans On Shabbat
Day: Sunday
Date: February 9, 2014
Parshat: Ki Tisa
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 314


Opening cans of food is permitted on Shabbat. However, ideally one should make a hole on the bottom of the can as well so that he will not be creating a vessel. It is permitted to open soda cans since in general they are not reused. Still one should try not to open the can all the way. If the cans are reused then by opening it one is "creating"  a vessel. One may tear packages to get to the food inside. For example, one may tear the paper that is usually wrapped around matzah in order to get to the matzah. Likewise one may also tear open a bag of challah to get to the challah.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Friday, February 7, 2014

Opening Bottles On Shabbat

Opening Bottles On Shabbat
Day: Friday
Date: February 7, 2014
Parshat: Titzaveh
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 314


One may add water to an ice tray on Shabbat in order to make ice for Shabbat. One may put the tray back in the freezer after use even if he knows that he will not use it anymore on Shabbat. One may open a sealed bottle on Shabbat even though it'll cause the cap to separate from the ring it is attached to. However one who is strict on himself and is careful to open sealed bottles before Shabbat will be blessed. Even if there are words printed on the cap or on the label around the top of a wine bottle one may still tear through them to open the bottle. However here too it is good if one can do it before Shabbat instead. Likewise, food wrappers may also be opened in Shabbat even if that means tearing through letters printed on their surface.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Is Playing With Legos Boneh?

Is Playing With Legos Boneh?
Day: Thursday
Date: February 6, 2014
Parshat: Titzaveh
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 314


The prohibition against building on Shabbat is called "Boneh". Children may play with Legos on Shabbat. They may build structures and take them apart. This is not considered to be Boneh. One may raise a chair by turning the knob under the seat on Shabbat. One may inject gas into water on Shabbat to make seltzer. If the lens falls out of one's glasses on Shabbat he may not put it back in, even loosely as a temporary fix. If there is a great need and one needs the glasses to learn Torah or to do another mitzvah one may tell a non Jew to put it back.



The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Muktzeh On Shabbat Compared To Yom Tov

Muktzeh On Shabbat Compared To Yom Tov
Day: Wednesday
Date: February 5, 2014
Parshat: Titzaveh
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 310, 495


The laws of muktzeh with regards to Yom Tov are more strict than they are with regards to Shabbat. The reason for this is because the Hachamim saw that people view Shabbat as more holy and important than Yom Tov and are therefore more likely to not honor Yom Tov properly. To combat this they made some of the laws more strict so people will realize that Yom Tov is just as important and holy. On Shabbat shells and peels that can be eaten by animals are not muktzeh. Therefore if one puts shells on a plate but doesn't put food on it as well he may still move the plate (see Halacha from January 30, 2014). However on Yom Tov if there is no edible food on the plate one may not move the plate until after Yom Tov.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Are Snow And Hail Muktzeh?

Are Snow And Hail Muktzeh?
Day: Tuesday
Date: February 4, 2014
Parshat: Titzaveh
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 308


Snow and hail are not muktzeh on Shabbat and may be moved. Therefore if one's coat has snow or hail on it he may brush it off by hand. One may also use them to cool down a drink. In addition one may put them near a heat source in order to cause them to melt. However, they need to be placed far enough from the heat source that even if they were to remain there the entire day they would not reach yad soledet bo (about 104 degrees Fahrenheit). Dust that gets on one's clothes is also not considered to be muktzeh and may be brushed off.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Monday, February 3, 2014

Holding A Child That Is Holding Muktzeh

Holding A Child That Is Holding Muktzeh
Day: Monday
Date: February 3, 2014
Parshat: Titzaveh
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 308


If a child is holding a rock on Shabbat his parents may carry him if he will cry and may become weak otherwise. If the child will not mind walking or if he is holding any muktzeh items other than a rock then he may not be held until he puts the item down. Even if the child doesn't put the item down one may still hold his hand, unless the child is holding money in which case the child must put the money down before his hand is held. The reason is because if the money falls it is very likely that the parent will pick it up. Obviously if there is any danger involved, the child's safety is the top priority.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org

Sunday, February 2, 2014

A Window Or Door That Fell Out On Shabbat

A Window Or Door That Fell Out On Shabbat
Day: Sunday
Date: February 2, 2014
Parshat: Titzaveh
Source: Yalkut Yosef: 308


Windows and doors of a building (not of a dollhouse) that fell off on Shabbat are muktzeh since one is not allowed to reattach them on Shabbat. However if they came off on Friday and one intends to use them for a permitted purpose on Shabbat then they are not muktzeh. If a door or other component of a non muktzeh item came off it is not muktzeh regardless of whether it fell off on Shabbat or on a weekday. However it also may not be reattached on shabbat. Clothes that were in the dryer or on the clothesline when Shabbat started may be taken out of the dryer or off the clothesline when they're dry even if the clothes where wet when Shabbat started.


The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org